Christian population in Israel is around 184,000 and growing

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

President Isaac Herzog visits the Convent of St. Anthony in Jerusalem on December 24, 2025. (Yossi Zamir/GPO)
President Isaac Herzog visits the Convent of St. Anthony in Jerusalem on December 24, 2025. (Yossi Zamir/GPO)

Israel’s Christians account for 1.9% of the country’s population, and grew by 0.7% from 2023 to 2024, Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics says, as most Christians celebrate the Christmas holiday.

Some 184,200 currently live in Israel, according to the CBS. Nazareth has the largest Christian population with 18,900, followed by Haifa (18,800), Jerusalem (13,400) and Nof HaGalil (10,800).

On Wednesday, Christmas Eve, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog visited the Franciscan Sisters at the Convent of St. Anthony in Jerusalem.

“We shared a prayer for peace and fraternity, and stood united against all forms of hatred and extremism,” Herzog wrote on X after the visit. “I feel deep pride in Israel’s Christian communities, which are an integral part of our nation. The State of Israel will continue to protect the freedom of worship for people of all faiths and communities.”

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